The main aim of this seminar paper is to introduce the novel “Foe” by J. M. Coetzee and to give an overview about the forms and functions of it. Therefore, a closer look at metafiction, historiographic metafiction and meta-narrative techniques is necessary, due to the fact that the novel is “meta-narrative”.
Since the story of the island, narrated by the protagonist Susan Barton, is important for an analysis, it is not enough just to focus on that. Susan’s island story serves as a kind of framework because the novel is about “the art of writing and story-telling”.
Firstly, the author, J. M. Coetzee, his biography and his many works will be presented. Secondly, the term metafiction, its definition and different forms will be discussed. After that there will be a short overview of the novel, including plot, characters and narrative techniques, which are important to understand the meaning of the book. This will be followed by the chapter “metafiction”, in which some forms of metafiction as well as some elements of the story, supported by some examples, will be presented.
The final section will give an overall picture of Coetzee’s story “Foe”.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. About the author
3. Metafiction
3.1. Definition
3.2. Forms of Metafiction
4. Coetzee’s work “Foe”
4.1 Plot
4.2. Characters
4.3. Narrative techniques
5. Metafiction, meta-narrative techniques and historiographic metafiction in “Foe”
5.1. Part one
5.2. Part two
5.3. Part three
5.4. Part four
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores the metafictional forms and functions within J.M. Coetzee's novel "Foe," analyzing how the narrative structure incorporates meta-narrative techniques and reflects on the nature of authorship and story-telling.
- Analysis of metafiction and its various definitions.
- Examination of narrative techniques in J.M. Coetzee’s "Foe."
- Investigation of the relationship between fiction, history, and truth.
- Exploration of character dynamics and the act of writing as a meta-narrative element.
- Study of the intertextual connection between "Foe" and Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe."
Excerpt from the Book
4.2. Characters
Susan Barton, the protagonist of the novel, is a female castaway. She is the same person as the narrator in Daniel Defoe’s novel “Roxana: The Fortunate Mistress”. Susan survives a shipwreck and strands on a lonely island, where she meets Cruso and Friday, an African slave. (cf. Rosen 2016: 113-114) Susan tells the reader and Mr. Foe about her experiences and life on the island, which goes on with the death of Cruso and the arrival Friday’s to England. On the one hand she narrates and on the other hand she experiences. (Milne 2008: 8)
Robinson Crusoe, also from a book by Daniel Defoe, “Robinson Crusoe”, is renamed Cruso and has been living on the island for many years. He later dies when Susan, Friday and he decide to travel to England.
In Coetzee’s book, Friday, whose tongue had been cut out by cannibals, slave traders or Cruso, is an African slave, as distinct from Defoe’s story, where Friday is a Native American. He cannot speak and that is why he cannot tell his story to anybody.
Daniel Foe, an author and writer, plans to publish Susan Barton’s story about her experiences on the island but since they do not share the same opinion, there is an ongoing conflict. (cf. Rosen 2016: 113-114) Foe helps Susan to find out what to write. He and Mrs. Barton have a so called “antagonistic relationship”, which is a main topic in the third part of the story. (cf. Milne 2008: 9-10)
The fact that some characters are borrowed ones from Daniel Defoe’s novel “Robinson Crusoe” makes the story metanarrative. (cf. AlMajnouni 2015: 48)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the primary aim of analyzing the forms and functions of the novel "Foe" through the lens of metafictional and meta-narrative theories.
2. About the author: Provides biographical context on J.M. Coetzee, highlighting his background as a postmodernist author and the influence of his South African identity on his works.
3. Metafiction: Defines the term metafiction and discusses its various forms, establishing a theoretical basis for analyzing Coetzee's narrative strategy.
4. Coetzee’s work “Foe”: Offers a plot summary, introduces the main characters, and outlines the narrative construction of the novel, emphasizing its status as a rewritten parody.
5. Metafiction, meta-narrative techniques and historiographic metafiction in “Foe”: Analyzes the four parts of the novel individually, examining how they utilize distinct narrative voices and meta-narrative devices.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, confirming that "Foe" effectively employs metafictional strategies to challenge traditional storytelling and historiography.
Keywords
Metafiction, J.M. Coetzee, Foe, Meta-narrative, Historiographic Metafiction, Postmodernism, Susan Barton, Narrative techniques, Intertextuality, Robinson Crusoe, Author-character relationship, Apartheid, South African Literature, Fiction about fiction, Story-telling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this literary analysis?
The paper focuses on J.M. Coetzee’s novel "Foe," analyzing its metafictional elements, narrative techniques, and the complex relationship between author, character, and the "art of story-telling."
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the nature of authorship, the intersection of history and fiction, the silences in narrative, and the postmodern exploration of "truth" within storytelling.
What is the main objective of this study?
The goal is to provide an overview of the forms and functions of metafiction in "Foe," demonstrating how Coetzee reconfigures canonical texts to reflect on the process of writing itself.
Which scientific methods are applied in this research?
The paper utilizes a qualitative, literature-based approach, applying narratological theory (metafiction and meta-narrative signs) to analyze textual evidence from the novel.
What content is included in the main chapters?
The main part provides a theoretical definition of metafiction, a summary of the plot and characters, and a detailed analysis of narrative shifts across the four distinct parts of the novel.
Which keywords best describe this paper?
Key terms include metafiction, J.M. Coetzee, meta-narrative, historiographic metafiction, narrative techniques, and intertextuality.
How does J.M. Coetzee distinguish his characters from those of Daniel Defoe?
Coetzee renames Robinson Crusoe to "Cruso," emphasizes Friday's silence and his identity as an African slave rather than a Native American, and centers the narrative on Susan Barton's perspective.
Why is the novel considered "meta-narrative"?
It is classified as meta-narrative because it explicitly draws attention to the act of writing, utilizes framework stories, and features a conflict between characters regarding how a story should be told and represented.
What role does the "antagonistic relationship" play in the novel?
The relationship between Susan Barton and Daniel Foe functions as a meta-commentary on the power struggle between the lived experience (Barton) and the artistic creation/publication of fiction (Foe).
- Quote paper
- Christina Binter (Author), 2017, Forms and functions in J.M. Coetzee’s “Foe”, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1247272
